Sam Orde - reflections on my time with Activity Alliance
Sam Orde will step down as Chair of Activity Alliance after seven years. Here she reflects on her time with the national charity.
As I step down after seven years as Chair of Activity Alliance, I find myself looking back with a mixture of emotions. There is deep appreciation for the people I’ve worked alongside, the passionate, dedicated colleagues, trustees, partners, and members. There is also a little sadness that this particular chapter is closing.
I have been involved in disability sport organisations for 30 years, and each role has been both a privilege and a challenge. Activity Alliance has been no exception. I’ve enjoyed the role immensely, while also sharing the frustrations that come with knowing how far we still have to go in closing the fairness gap for disabled people in sport and physical activity.
What has always struck me is the power of collaboration. I firmly believe in working together, and my time here has reinforced how vital that approach is. The success of programmes like Get Out Get Active (GOGA) show just how much can be achieved when communities unite around a shared goal.
I am particularly proud of how Activity Alliance has responded to challenges in recent years. During the COVID pandemic, the organisation became a strong, trusted voice for disabled people. In the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, that voice remains crucial, highlighting the disproportionate pressures disabled people face and ensuring their needs are not forgotten. The launch of our new strategy - We All Belong, has been another milestone. The breadth of collaboration that shaped it was inspiring, and the vision it sets out, one where everyone feels at home in sport and physical activity, is both clear and impactful. It is rooted in our values, which guide everything we do. To belong is to feel positive, purposeful, and included. Sport can and should provide that sense of belonging, and I am proud that Activity Alliance is leading the way with that.
Of course, there have been frustrations. Yet I have always felt we made a strong case for our work, and that persistence and evidence-based insight will continue to be one of our key strengths.
On a personal level, some of my fondest memories have been attending events such as the National Junior Para Athletics Championships and meeting people whose lives are touched by our work. For me, the role of Chair has always been about listening, enabling staff and trustees to flourish, respecting different perspectives, and ensuring all voices are heard.
To my successor, I would say this, enjoy it. Be accessible. Listen carefully to the passion people bring and respect the incredible team around you. The organisation is in a strong place. It is stable, energised, and ready to grow again.
Finally, I want to thank everyone I have worked with. I pass on a huge thank you to our staff, trustees, members, partners, and funders. You have made this journey not only rewarding but also great fun. I step away confident that Activity Alliance will continue to play a vital role in ensuring that disabled people feel they belong in sports and activities.
